He said: “People with high cholesterol are at significantly greater risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. That’s why it’s vital to reduce your cholesterol levels either through medication or lifestyle changes.

“Evidence shows that statins are a safe, effective, cholesterol-lowering drug and proven to lower the risk of heart disease.

“NICE has taken the sensible decision to reconsider the threshold for who should be prescribed statins. However, looking at someone’s risk of heart disease in the next ten years is too short a time frame. We should be taking a more holistic approach by looking at a person’s risk over their whole lifetime as recently recommended by leading cardiovascular organisations.

“In the meantime, it is important that anyone who has already been prescribed statins continues to take them as advised by their doctor to help maintain a healthy heart.”

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British Heart Foundation is a registered Charity No. 225971. Registered as a Company limited by guarantee in England & Wales No. 699547. Registered office at Greater London House, 180 Hampstead Road, London NW1 7AW. Registered as a Charity in Scotland No. SC039426

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